The Student News Site of Malvern Preparatory School

Friar's Lantern

The Student News Site of Malvern Preparatory School

Friar's Lantern

The Student News Site of Malvern Preparatory School

Friar's Lantern

New handbook changes dress code, attendance policy

Students and administrators expect some growing pains.

Revisions to the dress code and the student handbook for the upcoming school year were made by Malvern administrators in hope that the changes will help unify the Middle and Upper School.

In an email sent out by Malvern Communications to parents on July 31, Assistant Head of School for Academics Patrick Sillup and Assistant Head of School for Student Leadership Ronald Algeo presented the changes, which include students being required to be in formal dress on the first day of each academic week throughout the year and also changes in the shoes policy.

The email states that shoes should be professional looking and brown or black leather, either synthetic leather or canvas. Students are also not allowed to wear shoes with prominent logos, white soles, or athletic laces, like Vans and the Nike casual line.

Students have shown mixed emotions to just these dress code changes.

“The changes make sense in a way. To some, it may seem like a little too much. There is one thing to have a dress code, then there is another to be a stickler for it,” junior Ben Murphy said. “I do think some people will really struggle with it, just like every year. The formal dress I mind a little bit. It creates some responsibility to maintain it though, so I understand it.”

Even though some students may share a negative view on the new revisions, some parents share the opposite view.

“I am in favor of the new dress code,” Malvern parent Joanie Milhous said. “I think it gives a sense of pride in Malvern. It shows class and uniformity and is a reminder of the privilege it is to attend such a great school.”

There are also changes to the handbook like revisions on the absence policy, how late a student can come into school and still take part in extracurricular activities and sports, and how late a student can come into school and not be marked absent.

“When our schedule was 8 periods a day, being present on campus by the end of 2nd period (10:15) guaranteed the students would be here for 6 out of their 8 periods,” Algeo stated in an email. “With our current 5 period day and first period ending at 9:25, it made sense to have the students here by the end of first period which would guarantee that they would be present for 4 out of their 5 classes.”

Administrators stand behind these revisions to the handbook and dress code, but know there will be some growing pains while getting accustomed to the revisions.

“There’s probably a little confusion out there, too, because there are causal shoes, shoes with white soles,” Dean of Students Mr. Tim Dougherty said. “You know, it’s going to be a year until we figure things out,” he said later.

With this being said, Dougherty has gotten emails from parents who are very confused about these revision. Nevertheless, he has also gotten emails from parents thanking the administrators for the new dress code revisions. Still, Dougherty expects the same problems with students not following the dress code as with every other year.

“There will probably be resistance, there always is with the dress code to be honest,” Dougherty said. “Shirts are untucked on formal dress days. Sleeves are ripped off underneath sport jackets.”

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